Exporting to the United States – A Team Canada Inc Publication

10.7 Penalties and seizures

U.S. Customs levies severe penalties for fraud or negligence, so you have be very sure that the information you give about your exports is accurate and complete. If you discover errors after your goods have entered the U.S., notify your customs broker immediately; you may be able to avoid penalties through prior disclosure of the mistake (in other words, before U.S. Customs detects it).

You won't normally be penalized for clerical errors or omissions, but negligence or gross negligence, as defined by U.S. Customs, can draw penalties of up to four times the duty or 40 percent of the value of the goods. The penalty for outright fraud, such as false valuation, can be the entire value of the shipment or seizure of the shipment. Again, your best defence against such problems is to be very through and precise in preparing your documentation.